Lemon-y Goodness

Another weekend of trying something new, I still have lemons leftover from the poppy seed cake, and we've using them in cocktails too-yes, there are still lemons leftover.  There was a good bit of cooking, but only one new recipe was tried.  Martha Stewart's Strawberry Jam Tea Cakes from her Cupcakes cookbook-the title to me is misleading as these are cupcakes and I'm an absolute fool when it comes to these things.  When I read tea cakes, I think of the really thin cookies my dad talked about receiving in care packages when he was in the Navy not cake-cakes.  I did over fill the cups because the recipe said it made 16 which was an odd number since my muffin tin is for 12, and I didn't want to do a partial pan-note to self-Martha Stewart is smarter than you, so follow her directions.  These cakes have a lemon glaze instead of frosting.  What's really awesome about them is you can use whatever citrus, or combo of citrus flavors you want cause you're using fresh juice and zest.  They were super moist, and I loved the bit of sweetness from the jam that is cooked inside, that balanced with the tartness from the lemon.  I will definitely make these again (and I won't overfill the tins) and I think they'd be great for Sunday brunch or a wedding/baby shower.

What'cha been cooking?

Weekend lens.

We treated Andrew to an early birthday gift with tickets to Alton Brown's show Edible Inevitable Tour on Friday.  It was a lot of fun and Alton Brown was very entertaining.  Prior to the show we tried a new Greek restaurant near my office Cafe Mezo.  No liquor license yet, but you can bring your own wine with no corkage fee-It was very good and I hope to have a chance to go there for lunch.  Mezes means small plates, and they really are small plates.

Since I leave my office at 4, I had a little time to kill before the boys rolled into Atlanta.  I went to Esorpion for a cocktail, empanada and some chips and salsa, salsa counts as a vegetable right?!  There was a little knitting too.

It was a perfect evening to walk to the few blocks to the Fox, such an awesome venue.

When the boys are home that means serious cooking.  My first time ever making Sunday gravy, it was really good, and used a LOT of tomatoes!

Andrew made biscuits-they were square-i don't know why, but it was nice to sit down and eat breakfast together.

I decided to try another Smitten Kitchen recipe-Poppy Seed Lemon cake.  It was good, but I wish it was a little more lemon-y and more moist like a cake made with buttermilk or sour cream.  I chose the recipe because it used 8 egg yolks-yikes I know, but it allowed me to use the egg whites for my breakfast for the coming work week.  I look forward to trying more of her recipes, and I need to follow her blog.

There was also some play time-Sophie really enjoyed having her "brothers" home for the weekend.

A very nice facetime call with Roy, not fun that it was from a hospital room, but a nice way to send get well wishes.
Finally, the weekend ended with a special trunk show at Cast on Cottage featuring Claudia of Claudia's Hand Painted Yarns.  She is not only a talented dyer, but a super nice person as well.  I hope she makes another trip to the Cottage at some point.  Of course, I did a "little" stash enhancement while I was there-those purchases will be photos for another time.

family time.

this week's 10 on Tueday prompt 10 things you did this weekend is a no brainer.  this weekend we gathered at callaway gardens to celebrate my mother in law's 75th birthday.  the weather was gorgeous and we had a grand time (as usual).  there were lots of pictures taken, but here's a couple and the list.

 10. celebrated with a fruit pizza, candles and fun gifts.

9. played games-quiddler and zilch are the one's i enjoy cause i can still knit while playing!

8. power walks with mary.
7. ate some really good food.
6. drank some really good wine.
5. did a lot of knitting.
4. watched sophie on the web cam at happy trails pet center.
3. did some reading.
2. watched some football.
1. had some wonderful conversations with my favorite people.

something new and different

yesterday, steve and I rode 18 miles on the silver comet trail:  even though it was about 90 degrees, the trail was mostly shady, and we went through a couple areas that seemed subterranean, and at those points there was a noticeable change in temperature. it was a lot of fun, and i think there might be a couple bikes in our very near future.  as well as very cushion-y seat and probably cushion-y bike shorts.  i'm hoping there will be a cart of some sort that steve can pull so sophie can join us-we'll see.   i couldn't tell you how long ago it's been since i was on a bike, but i'm thinking at least 28+ years.  later in the evening we watched the recap of the tour de france, and i have a much greater appreciation for THAT sport let me tell ya!

out in the country.

there's a little place out in conyers that i bet most people don't know about. the monastery of the holy spirit. our sunday school class took a field trip out here, what a beautiful day. i remember coming out here to field trips when i was in middle/high school. we enjoyed learning about the monastery, which was established in 1944, and a picnic lunch along with the ducks. what a true treasure. andrew and i enjoyed ourselves. i hope to make it out here again in the spring. there are extra photos on flickr.
no afternoon out would be complete without a stop at the quilt shop, returned to Sweet Home Quilt Co. it was only 10 minutes away, and on the way home!!! the quilt club stopped by here during the shop hop, this store has a great selection of reproduction fabrics. bought a couple pieces to include with my scrambled eggs class that kathy and i are taking tomorrow.

the road to happy feet

took a while to get there, love my pink toes! however, before i could relax and enjoy being pampered, we had to do a few things first!
first up a 3.5 mile hike up, and i do mean up, kennesaw mountain. after finally finding a place to park we were able to complete the hike in about an hour-not bad, then a picnic, followed by handing out almost 200 water bottles to day trippers at a local park-that part was hot, but we had a great time-
next up: people drop offs/pick ups, and a couple errands, after that a chance to shower, nap and put my feet up before we headed to the battle of the bands, 3 hours of heavy metal , loud music. although it wasn't really my thing music-wise, i was very pleased to see how many parents and a few grandparents showed up to support the bands. the things we do for our kids!

pj played in two: coverdown and strain theory-i thought strain theory was the better of the two. here's a video, pj's playing the bass (on the left) it's a bit long.

up for sunday morning was church, an exceptional sermon, one that makes you glad you didn't miss it-then kathy dropped by so we could go to red hen and get our april block of the month (did a little stash enhancement here!) then we stopped for lunch (tiramisu-yum!) before i headed off again to drop the boys off at church-then FINALLY happy feet (and hands)-what a weekend-the gorgeous weather made it even better!

the food was good.

taste of acworth, the first time i've been, and of course, kathy was willing to join me, so andrew, kathy, courtney, danielle and myself headed out-it was a gorgeous, but cool morning. we had a soccer game at 2, so we had to get there early. checked out all the food vendor booths from local restaurants, and some of the downtown area merchants.




andrew and daniell enjoy pizza from capo's, i think-can't really tell from daniell's expression- maybe andrew has cooties?









andrew and kathy









the dames and divas boutique way cool beetle bug









oh yea back to the food- sampled waterstone grill's salmon cake with mango salsa and the beef ragu with pinot noir reduction- then the peach and blueberrie cobbler with vanilla ice cream- yum, and a sampling of foxwood pinot grigio and cabernet sauvignon









heading back to the car we saw elvis-i always thought he was taller! these are the kennesaw mountain cloggers-much different than from when i was a kid- rap music and clogging- hmmmm i don't get it









after soccer- steve and i headed to a retirement party- after 30 years, can you tell the before and after? yea, the food was good- can't beat a grilled burger and fresh salsa

friday frolics

love fridays, not only does it end the work week, but if all things are normal, when i get home the groceries are bought, house cleaning and laundry done, so i feel i can really relax and unwind.

worked on my secret sister stole- dropped a stitch, so i gotta back track, but enjoy the time in the car, and the traffic wasn't bad either.



browsed bon appetit, plan to try the buttermilk biscuits, pan-fried fish, beef short ribs w/coriander & cardamon, the scampi fra diavolo, and the quick sausage (turkey, of course) and mushroom lasagna- yum yum!



friday night- chaperoning epic for the church youth group, some of the youth stayed overnight (including pj), as they were going to spend saturday doing a clean up session.









great of pj, and of course, not so great of me, but the photographer was holding the photo at a weird angle.




pj and the other kids seemed to really enjoy having the adults around, it really was fun, listening to them listen to the music we grew up with, laughing, singing, and just having a really good time.






pj and the fuzz ball table.









pj and the girls






looking forward to saturday, sunday and monday getting things done. fall plantings, quilt shopping (more on that!), soccer (we lost, again), some easy cooking, and enjoying the cooler temps.

weekend wrap-up

friday night football~~~~ homecoming 2008

the moms- kathy, myself and joyce (our new friend and quilter from pennsylvania)















the kids---danielle, pj and andrew -they went off to mingle














the team















the quilters- first installment of the quilters club- searching for a name- lydia, kathy and brenda, joyce couldn't make it so hopefully next time- great fun














i also made some birthday cards, finished a quilt top, cooked more meals than i care to think about as well as washed so many dishes, pots and pans, my hands are woefully chapped. we lost our soccer game, but i've started the second froot loop, yea-looking forward to the week of the 13th, since it will be 3 day work week, of course soooo many plans for that time off-stay tuned for that-

a few of my favorite things

had several days to experience some of the things i really enjoy-
♥-time off (yea)
♥-knitting and quilting time
♥-visiting a new place- airforce museum and ga music hall of fame-both very cool and who knew ga had so much influence on all genres of music -some photos here, here, and here. ♥-time with the family- especially with no clock watching!
♥-shopping and bargains at the outlet mall

♥-the views and vistas while driving to dawson county


♥-had to stop to take a picture of these

♥-time to myself with no rushing, set agenda (except store purchases!), etc. would enjoy company next time.

♥-dinner with friends (friday night)

♥-brunch with SILs and sara-who made the most awesome carrot cake-wonder how they'd taste as cupcakes-hmmmmm?

-casting on a new project with SILs-and reunion of the zombie socks

all good stuff- don't you agree? guess that leads to a very belated "Gratitude":: having the opportunity to take it all in, and reflect on how lucky i am right now. looking at each day full in the face, and "saying" i'm going to get all i can out of you today!

capre' diem ya'll!

that's cool . .

this week included some random bits of coolness, and it has nothing to do with the weather! first off, my weekend begins today at noon, yea looooong weekend, always cool--

next, i was making cards, and pulled out some ribbon i had bought on clearance a couple months ago, and when i unwound the ribbon- ta da-it's self-adhesive- leave it to martha stewart to come up with something cool and efficient---no glue dots, or other bits to hold the ribbon onto the paper. i was so capitvated by the coolness of this product, i bought some deocrative tape featuring the same adhesive! thanks martha (you old jail bird, you)-honestly you gotta love it--

then- upping the cool'o'meter- wound the loose nut for this weekend's cast-on- i'm getting better at this whole at home-yarn-winding business! brunch and knitting- yea you know cool--



my blooming dipladenia-aka: mandevilla (who knew) isn't it gorgeous- very similar to the bougainvillea--oooooo tropical coolness
new hand railings very cool-to compliment the new steps, the same steps that should have been done right the first time- oh well, live and learn- right? second photo is a view from the porch of my garden spot- i've added a few more bits since this photo was taken-will be an unending wip for awhile- want to add more color for spring and summer.

a snap from the dining room window- have added a sunflower looking thingy to the urn-with the heat this is definately not a cool spot to be, but it is pretty n'est pas?

and finally, the ultimate in coolness this week--

i was doing up the shoulder seams of the moss sweater when my oldest proclaimed- "hey that's really cool how you did that- wow, how long did it take you to make it"- oh my- enough to bring tears to your eyes- pure joy-of course, he turned down my offer to teach him how to knit-maybe i'll have daugters-in-law . . . .

our little world

socks are done! zombies are going to mom- she says they're a perfect fit, and these are so cool they look like self-striping, and i wasn't even trying, glad they're done, and look forward to the next installment of the punk rock sock club- stay tuned.















next up, the spicy socks- finished these in boston, didn't have as much on the second sock as i thought, aren't they lovely!!!
















ladies and gentlemen----elvis has left the needles!!! love everything about these- the yarn, pattern, the fit- can't wait to wear these.






















yes, that's pj with his permit and mohawk- a vbs challenge, thank goodness it's just hair. no, i have not lost my mind, and pj can keep this look until school starts, but it is not permission to engage in counter-culture, social deviant, rebellious behavior!!! he also got his permit a couple weeks ago, and he's been behind the wheel of a car, but he's got a long way to go before he's really ready to hit the streets.


saturday was total fun with mary and sara, we also did a little nostalgic tour through old roswell before they tear down my childhood- then sunday was quilt square pick up with kathy and lunch at the marietta diner- spinach pie and stuffed grape leaves- knitting, some grilling and enjoying the day- looking forward to a 3 day weekend and the road race- stay tuned

dillard 2008

mary did such a great job posting about dillard house, that i'm just going to do a few photos of other stuff we did.


wooly friends-sheep, alpacas and goats- yes it's like yarn in the buff







cows along the trail
beautiful morning for a ride on horseback










me on tonto, and pj on maverick











end of the long and dusty trail that took us across the river and back, through beautiful meadows- total fun!









tallulah gorge on tuesday, very beautiful, we walked about 1.5 of the 2 miles (i think) - we didn't do the whole loop, but it was a gorgeous day to be outdoors, mastered most of the 1000+ steps, and walked across the suspension bridge- and my knees felt it when we were done. ate at reba's grill and buffet in hollywood definitely a "locals" place, pretty good basic food-then headed home- unpacked and got ready for the work week.



zombie socks (pattern by Sheryl Ball) and my own rocker pose for the camera- sock #1 done!









thanks for a great holiday weekend- polly, roy, mary, sara, karen, ron, paula, jillian, and my boys- everyone got to do pretty much what they wanted, but we still did stuff together

ps- look forward to more antiquing with mary and polly next time